Governor of Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria, Yahaya Bello has appointed a speech impaired youth and former cleaner, Peter Aliyu, as his Senior Special Assistant on Sanitation.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed.
Muhammed said the appointment was a part of Bello’s efforts to foster inclusion in governance.
The statement read in part:
“His appointment was announced on Wednesday alongside other new appointees of government in a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade.
“The young man’s appointment came on the heels of his excellency’s observation of the man’s consistency, diligence and dedication which also endeared the new appointee to many other individuals who have hailed his appointment.
“Governor Bello has always been known for his non-discrimination approach to leadership and how he has ensured that individuals of a different class, group and even social strata were meted equal treatment across the board.
“The governor in his usual disposition did not consider Mr Aliyu’s disability as a hindrance for him to effectively serve but rather as a means to enlist him and prove to the world that in disabilities lie abilities as well.”